1987 » Vietnam » Stage and costume design

Vietnam

The present-day Vietnamese theatre - besides the developing genres like pantomime, puppet theatre, show etc. - represents above all the KICH NOI Drama Theatre. It was founded in 1920 and directly influenced by French theatre (which in 1920 performed Moliere’s play in Hanoy). In the beginning its repertoire was based on the classical European drama, especially of French origin. After Vietnam gained independence the theatre's repertory was broadened by Soviet plays (above all those by Maxim Gorky). In recent years plays from other socialist countries have been staged, too (in 1985 first Slovak play Luigis Heart by Bukovcan was performed), at present the performance of Capek’s drama The White Scourge is being prepared. About fifty dramatic groups (including amateur ones) at present focus on revolutionary and propaganda themes. The Vietnamese theatre faces important cultural and political tasks: it is highly capable of reflecting urgent problems of the day with considerable political function.